Bird Claims Their Motorized Scooters Do Not Cause Trouble in Milwaukee, Demand Lawsuit Be Thrown Out

The company behind the Bird motorized scooters is firing back at the City of Milwaukee’s attempt to remove the scooters from their city, arguing they do not cause safety issues and demanding the lawsuit be thrown out.

On July 26, Bird Rides Inc. filed court docs in the case brought by the city which is seeking to remove all 100 scooters they brought to Milwaukee and for them to be banned.

The company admits dropping off 100 scooters last month but denies they placed them in public right of way. They claim they placed them in areas out of public right-of-ways, including private property, but kept walkways, driveways, access ramps and fire hydrants clear.

The company claims they instruct all riders who use Bird scooters to not block public pathways and to park by bike racks when available. Bird claims the scooters are intended for users to commute to work, across college campuses, with friends or just to enjoy the air.

Bird points out the scooters do emit a noise when they are moved without authorization or their battery is low, but deny that noise in any way harms the public. They also prohibit users from using the scooters while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Recently, The City of Milwaukee sued Bird Rides Inc, accusing them of refusing to cease business in the city despite being warned that the use of their motorized scooters was illegal on sidewalks and streets.

They are seeking a court order prohibiting the scooters and want all 100 that Bird delivered to the city to be removed, claiming along with it being illegal, it was a safety concern for the riders.

The city took issue with the scooters not being all put in one location and instead can be left anywhere after the rider is done.

Bird has placed scooters in more than 20 cities around the U.S. They recently settled with the city of Santa Monica, agreeing to pay $300,000.